Plug catcher tool

Abstract

Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger. The safety joint is controlled to provide a full strength connection when installing the apparatus and a designed separation point when installed in order that damage to the portion of the tubing above the apparatus would not disturb the subsurface safety valve and thereby affect its ability to shut in the well in the event the wellhead is destroyed or damaged. The apparatus is installed in a single trip and thereby reducing the need for "spacing out" during installation. In the event of damage or malfunction of the full opening safety valve, the valve may be retrieved with only the upper portion of the well tubing. A replacement valve may then be easily installed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A plug catcher tool adapted for releasably securing within a tubing hanger to seat a plug for hydraulically setting the subsurface tubing hanger, including: a tubular body receivable within a tubular stinger and forming a reduced passage for enabling flow through the stinger until it is desirable to actuate the tubing hanger;   a securing ring disposed outwardly of said tubular body and secured thereto by a shear pin, and securing ring having a plurality of windows formed therethrough;   a corresponding plurality of latch dogs, with each of said latch dogs received in one of said windows and extending radially outwardly from said securing ring within an annular groove formed on the tubular stinger for releasably securing the plug catcher within the stinger;   said tubular body forming an upwardly facing annular shoulder for receiving thereon and sealing with a plug means that is movable into the stinger when desired;   means carried exteriorly of said tubular body for sealing with the tubular stinger to control the directional application of increased fluid pressure from above the stinger into the subsurface tubing hanger to effect its setting in response to the increased fluid pressure above a plug means received within the tubular body of the plug catcher; and   means for connecting with a retrieving tool to enable shearing of the shear pin holding the securing ring to said tubular body to enable the said latch dogs to move radially inwardly from the annular groove of the tubular stinger and thereby release the plug catcher tool for retrieval from the stinger.